Goals from the top four in our chart in a high scoring last weekend before the winter break. Makaay had a quiet game at Valencia but was there when he was needed with an opportunist goal to put Deportivo back in the running for the Champions League places. Raúl also scored an important goal for Real Madrid to help them overcome a two goal deficit and defeat Málaga. Musampa and Dely Valdés had scored earlier for the Andalucian side. But perhaps the most significant of all was the hat-trick from Patrick Kluivert at Mallorca which saved manager Louis Van Gaal from a Christmas on the dole.

Elsewhere two goals from Nihat took Real Sociedad into a seven point lead at the top of the table, and that after his strike partner Kovacevic had been sent off. Alfonso made up for his penalty miss last week with a headed goal to set Betis on their way to a win, and Urzaiz also used his head again to give Athletic a much needed victory in their derby game with Alavés. (24.12.02)